Visiting Sculptures: Mount Rushmore + Crazy Horse

Dress: Free People (on sale at Macy’s) wearing size 0 / Booties: Carlos Santana (c/o Macy’s) / Bag: India Hicks (c/o) / Hat: Brooklyn Laurent (c/o Tenth Street) / Earrings: Kendra Scott (c/o) / Nanogram cuff: Louis Vuitton

Our day visiting Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore was a packed day for us. The weather is wonderful here in South Dakota, mid-80s and sunny, I could just sit in the shade outside all day! We had an early breakfast and hit the road to visit some iconic sculptures.

Let’s first start with the most well-known, Mount Rushmore!

Mount Rushmore

Can you make the presidents? Benjamin asked me a few times until I got it right. Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Lincoln. I kept wanting to say Adams and I don’t know why, sorry Teddy.

Mount Rushmore gets 2 million visitors annually, and this was our first time! You can say this was my dad’s bucket list item which is the reason he booked this trip.

Glad my parents sponsored Benjamin and me to tag along. They’re the best. We’re having so much fun and at Mount Rushmore there is a special ice cream shop and they feature Thomas Jefferson’s secret vanilla ice cream recipe!

I got a root beer float, of course. I’m obsessed with root beer floats. And that ice cream wow, so flavorful and not overly sweet, unlike any vanilla I can explain. I’m not a huge vanilla girl because I always thought it was kind of bland and boring, but not Thomas Jefferson’s recipe! You have to get one if you go, then tell me!

We took these photos right where you eat, the cafeteria at Mount Rushmore! We just climbed up the grassy area right there (no one was there and it’s not crowded after lunch time). This was taken with a 35mm. I only brought two lenses, 35mm and 85mm and they work perfectly!

Crazy Horse Memorial

We also stopped by Crazy Horse which is a memorial for Native Americans. They don’t really know what he looks like but he’s a hero to them and they have been working on this forever, if I can be blunt. It was started in 1948, and the Memorial does not accept federal or state funding. The project is financed by admissions and contributions.

It attracts 1 million visitors per year – it’s very close to Mount Rushmore so you should definitely see it and there’s a lot of museums attached which is interesting.

Here’s is what it will look like when done (white) – and you can see it to the right.

I have a funny story about these photos (of just me) by Crazy Horse. We missed the bus to the bottom of the sculpture. More like the bus got full and we didn’t have enough time and so I told Benjamin let’s walk over to this parking lot and see what we can get with my 85mm lens. Saved the day.

Sometimes being closer up doesn’t mean great photos, it’s like the Statue of Liberty. You’re at her toes but you’re like wait, I can only see up your nose, it’s much better to see her from Brooklyn (this trip) or somewhere further. We made it work.

On another note, thank you fashion trends for having white sneaks be trendy with everything!

Dress: Free People (on sale at Macy’s) wearing size 0 / Leather bow sneakers: FitFlop (c/o)  / Bag: India Hicks (c/o) / Hat: Brooklyn Laurent (c/o Tenth Street) / Earrings: Kendra Scott (c/o) / Nanogram cuff: Louis Vuitton

Totally digging this bag which has been perfect for the trip. It holds my laptop and extra lens in there. It also totally fits the vibe I’m going for while on this trip.

Also I think dresses are the best thing ever to pack for vacation. Should have packed more. Also should have packed a cozy sweater just to be comfy, left my favorite North Face zip up at home.

And I’m obsessed with my hat by Brooklyn Laurent from Tenth Street who has the coolest hats, remember this one here. They are so well priced and quality made. I was complimented so many times on my hat!

Again, I never think of sun direction when I take photos for the blog or am on vacation. It’s a weird habit but I think everything always turns out just fine, as long as I keep showing my good side and the thing I need to show you (bridge, sculpture, wall) *wink*

See some highlights from that day that I had posted on my Instagram Stories, including what Benjamin bought for a souvenir!

Today we head to Montana and start exploring Yellowstone!

Equipment used:  Canon 5D Mark IV, 35mm f/1.4L + 85mm f/1.4EX (see my photo bag here)